Managing Student Assistants

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Managing Student Assistants

• Anke Voss
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• avoss_at_iwu.edu
• and
• Rachel Vagts
• Luther College
• vagtsrac_at_luther.edu

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So, who is our pool of archivists in the making?

• Generation Y/Millennials
• Digital Natives vs. Digital Immigrants
• Digital Generation
• Waby boomlet
• Baby Boomers II
• Y2Kids

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Who are they?

• They were born in the 1980s.
• They don't remember when "cut and paste" involved
  scissors.
• Voice mail has always been available.
• Libraries have always been the best centers for
  computer technology and access to good software.
• They missed the oat bran diet craze.
• From the Beloit College Mindset List 2005

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No, seriously, who are they?

• They were born in the 1980s.
• Theyre from the smallest families in history.
• Theyre confident, high achievers
• And their technology skills can put us all to
  shame!

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Hiring

• Develop a clear job description
• The interview is for both you and the potential
  student employee
• Discuss the expectations of the job as well as
  the work environment

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What should you be looking for in a student?

• Do a skills assessment.
• Take into consideration the potential employees
  learning styles.
• If possible, stagger hiring so that seasoned
  student assistants can serve as peer mentor.

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Training

• Manuals
• Policies
• Procedures
• Use a check list
• Resources to teach basic principles
• Hands-on training
• Cross-training

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Workplace Issues

• Environmental Conditions
• Safety
• Supervision
• Decision-making
• Public Service Skills

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Evaluation and Beyond

• Formal vs. Informal
• Keeping in touch
• Feedback
• Scheduled reviews

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Mentorship

• Developer of talents
• Sustaining your own passions
• Its beyond supervision
• But staying professional

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Moving to the Next Stage

• Letters of recommendation
• Assisting with CV preparation
• Keeping in touch

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Questions? Comments?

• Anke Voss
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• avoss_at_iwu.edu
• and
• Rachel Vagts
• Luther College
• vagtsrac_at_luther.edu